Naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, system and method for natural refrigeration comprising a naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin containing an ice bin with a refrigerator compartment suspended within it. The ice bin and cooler compartment are configured such that when ice cubes and the resulting cold water are loaded into the ice bin, the ice cubes and resulting cold water surround the refrigerator compartment and act to remove heat from inside the refrigerator compartment.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/902,639, filed Nov. 11, 2013, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Refrigerated coolers, refrigerators, coolers or other similar apparatusare commonly used to keep food and beverages cold for storage prior tobeing used and/or consumed. Such refrigerators or refrigerated coolersare commonly employed in restaurants, bars, pubs, fast foodestablishments, concessions, convenience stores, kiosks, boats,recreational vehicles, portable concession carts, residentialhouseholds, outdoor kitchens, and the like. However, conventionalrefrigerated coolers or refrigerators rely on electrical components andgases to facilitate the cooling process and to maintain a constanttemperature in the ambient range to keep food products and beveragescold. This reliance on electrical components and gases limits their usegeographically to locations where electricity is available and alsocreates an environmental burden.

Conventional portable coolers, ice boxes, ice chests and like portablecooling apparatus are typically configured as a simple insulatedcontainer. Ice cubes or gel packs are commonly employed inside of suchinsulated containers to facilitate cooling of the items as well asmaintain cold temperatures. Portable coolers, or ice chests, aretypically used at picnics, campsites, recreational vehicles, boats,outdoor events, outdoor cooking events or any other areas in need ofrefrigeration but without readily available electricity. However,conventional portable coolers are an impractical substitute forconventional refrigerated coolers in commercial applications.

Conventional ice bins, insulated ice wells or ice well coolers typicallyemploy either insulated or non-insulated boxes, sinks or coolers tostore and dispense ice cubes for use in beverages or other food andbeverage related purposes. Ice bins are commonly used in bars, pubs,restaurants, kiosks, concessions, convenience stores, portableconcession carts and the like for the purpose of food or beverageservice. However, their functionality is conventionally limited to theprovision of service ice.

Accordingly, a need exists for an integrated naturally refrigeratedcooler and ice bin to provide a refrigerated cooler and service ice binwithout the use of conventional electrical refrigeration components orgases.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview ofthe disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it isintended to neither identify key or critical elements of the disclosurenor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is toexplain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as anintroduction to the following complete and extensive detaileddescription.

In certain exemplary aspects, the present disclosure describes anaturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin designed to provide arefrigerated cooler as well as a service ice bin without the use ofconventional electrical refrigeration components or gases. In certainfurther aspects, the naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin can be anall-in-one unit that utilizes ice cubes loaded into an ice bin as thecoolant method for the refrigerated cooler.

In other aspects, the present disclosure provides for a large verticalice bin with a refrigerator compartment. Here, the refrigeratorcompartment can be used as the refrigerated cooler and can be suspendedinside the lower portion of this large ice bin. It is contemplated thatthe ice bin and refrigerator compartment can be designed such that icecubes, and the resulting cold water from the melting of the ice cubes,surround the refrigerator compartment from all sides with the exceptionof the front. In a further aspect, the front side of the refrigeratorcompartment can be used to access the items inside through the use of aninsulated access door. In light of the present disclosure, one skilledin the art will appreciate that heat from within the refrigeratorcompartment can be transferred through the refrigerator compartmentwalls via thermal contact with the ice cubes and cold water. Thus,natural cold water convection moves heat from the refrigeratorcompartment through the refrigerator compartment walls to the ice cubesand cold water surrounding the refrigerator compartment and, finally, tothe top of the ice bin.

In other aspects, the refrigerator compartment can be constructed of ahighly thermally conductive material to facilitate the thermalconductivity of the refrigerator compartment to the ice cubes and coldwater surrounding it. In a further aspect, the refrigerator compartmentcan be accessed through a front door similar to a conventionalrefrigerator. Here, it is contemplated that the front door can be alsoinsulated to provide a thermal barrier and sealed using a gasket. Infurther aspects, the refrigerator compartment can contain shelves orremain open in design.

In other aspects, the large ice chamber of the ice bin can be locatedvertically above the refrigerator compartment. This ice bin can be toploading with direct access to the top, back, right and left side of theinner compartment cooler. The inner compartment can be also suspendedfrom the bottom of the ice bin providing a reservoir underneath therefrigerator compartment with direct access to the left, right and backside of the ice bin.

In other aspects, the outer ice bin walls (i.e., the entire exterior ofthe unit) can be double walled and insulated to provide a thermalbarrier to restrict heat loss from the ice bin. In even further aspects,materials used for the walls can include, for example and withoutlimitation, 304 Stainless Steel, molded plastic, steel (outer wallonly), galvanized steel (outer wall only), vinyl-lined aluminum or othersuitable material used to provide a thermally insulated barrier as wellas waterproof structure.

In other aspects, a sliding, removable or flip up door can be used toaccess the top of the ice bin. It is contemplated that the ice bin topaccess door can be or can not be insulated. In other aspects, the top ofthe ice bin can include, for example and without limitation, a drafttower with drain collection pan, cold water dispensing unit, cold drainpan tray, or the like.

In other aspects, a valve can be located at the bottom of the unit andcan be used to discharge the water from the ice bin. Such a valve can behooked up to external plumbing or simply used as a dump valve. Infurther aspects, the valve can comprise, for example and withoutlimitation, a ball joint valve, a gate valve, a tee valve or any othervalve device operable to restrict water in external or internalplumbing.

In other aspects, it is contemplated that condensation from within therefrigerator compartment can be directed through a drain from within therefrigerator compartment and plumbed to the valve located on the outsideof the unit. In an additional or alternate embodiment, it iscontemplated that the condensation from the refrigerator compartment canbe directed to a water reservoir located within or connected to the icebin.

In other aspects, a draft (or draught) version of a naturallyrefrigerated cooler and ice bin is contemplated and comprises a drafttower with draft lines that can be inserted through the top of therefrigerator compartment, upwards through the top of the ice bin to adraft tower and dispensing faucet. In a further aspect, the draft towerand dispensing faucet can be located either on top or on the top side ofthe ice bin. In a further aspect, the draft lines can be fed through adraft line tube constructed of a highly thermally conductive materialand into the draft tower. It is contemplated that the draft line tubecan be in direct contact with the ice cubes and cold water inside of theice bin. In light of the present disclosure, one skilled in the art willappreciate that heat from the beverage, lines, surrounding air and draftline tube can be thermally transferred into the ice bin. Accordingly,the present disclosure provides an apparatus and system that can be usedto cool the draft lines for an optimal direct draw draft system. Here,the liquid (or beverage) can be stored in kegs, boxes, liter cylindersor the like. It is further contemplated that these items can be storedinside the refrigerator compartment and linked through draft lines tothe draft tower and faucet through the above-mentioned draft line tube.Such a draft version of a naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin canbe used to store and dispense beer, wine, cocktail or any other beverageserved through a draft tower.

In other aspects, a cold plate can be provided on the top of therefrigerator compartment, inside of the ice bin in order to enable theuse of a soda system or any other beverage system that utilizes a coldplate cooling design.

In other aspects, a cold water dispenser can be provided in thenaturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin. It is contemplated that thecold water dispenser comprises a hand pump, a pressure chamber, anin-line filter, a water line and a dispensing means. In a furtheraspect, the water line is configured to take water from the bottom ofthe ice bin, filter it through an in-line filter, and dispense the coldwater from the top or the side of the ice bin. It is contemplated that ahand pump will provide the necessary pressure to pull the water throughthe water lines and filter to the dispensing unit.

In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides for a naturallyrefrigerated cooler with ice bin configured to be an environmentallyfriendly and energy saving appliance. The naturally refrigerated coolerand ice bin of the present disclosure does not utilize power or gasrelated refrigeration components. In a further aspect, the presentdisclosure provides an ergonomic, space-saving, multipurpose design suchthat the naturally refrigerated cooler with ice bin can provide manyyears of trouble-free service.

In a further aspect, it is contemplated that the naturally refrigeratedcooler with ice bin can be provided in many sizes, configurations anddesigns such as, for example and without limitation, a free standingrolling design, a slip-in design similar to a conventional stove/oven, adrop-in counter design and the like.

In further aspects, it is contemplated that the naturally refrigeratedcooler with ice bin can be adapted for many applications such as, forexample and without limitation, restaurants, fast food establishments,bars, pubs, coffee houses, concessions, convenience stores, gasstations, kiosks, portable concession carts, recreational vehicles,outdoor kitchens, residential kitchens, poolside, events, tradeshows,convention booths or virtually any place, portable or fixed, thatrequires refrigeration.

Additional features and advantages of exemplary implementations of theinvention will be set forth in the description which follows, and inpart will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by thepractice of such exemplary implementations. The features and advantagesof such implementations may be realized and obtained by means of theinstruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims. These and other features will become more fully apparent fromthe following description and appended claims, or may be learned by thepractice of such exemplary implementations as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate aspects and together with thedescription, serve to explain the principles of the methods and systems.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of one exemplaryimplementation of a naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin in a basicconfiguration (i.e., an ice bin with a refrigerator compartment) in afree standing rolling design.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate one exemplary implementation of a naturallyrefrigerated cooler and ice bin in a basic configuration (i.e., an icebin with a refrigerator compartment) in a free standing rolling design.FIG. 2A is a side elevational view of the naturally refrigerated coolerand ice bin of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of thenaturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin taken across line A-A of FIG.2A showing the refrigerator compartment, the inner ice bin space (orvoid) that can be filled with ice, and the insulated inner and outer icebin walls.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate one exemplary implementation of a naturallyrefrigerated cooler and ice bin in a basic configuration (i.e., an icebin with a refrigerator compartment) in a free standing rolling design.FIG. 3A is a top elevational view of the naturally refrigerated coolerand ice bin of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3B is a cutout view of the naturallyrefrigerated cooler and ice bin taken across lines A-A of FIG. 3Ashowing the refrigerator compartment, the inner and outer ice bin wallswith insulation, and the refrigerated cooler door having a double wallwith insulation. Insulation is indicated with hash lines.

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate one exemplary aspect of a naturally refrigeratedcooler and ice bin in a draft configuration (i.e., an ice bin withrefrigerator compartment with draft line tube and draft tower) in a freestanding rolling design. FIG. 4A is a top elevational view of thenaturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin, FIG. 4B is a cutout view ofthe naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin taken across lines A-A ofFIG. 4A, and FIG. 4C is an enlarged view of a portion of the cutout viewof FIG. 4B. The cutout view shows a refrigerator compartment withsupport rails. In one aspect, the support rails can be used to supportand suspend the refrigerator compartment from the bottom of the ice bin.The suspension rail design can also incorporate ports (or holes) thatcan allow water to freely pass under the refrigerator compartmentbetween the rails. While FIGS. 4A and 4B exemplarily show two rails, itis anticipated that additional rails can be utilized depending on thesize of the unit and the weight capacity desired in the refrigeratorcompartment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a partial cutaway view of one exemplaryimplementation of a naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin in a basicconfiguration (i.e., an ice bin with a refrigerator compartment) in afree standing rolling design. This view shows a refrigerator compartmentand a drain located at the bottom of the ice bin below the refrigeratorcompartment. In certain aspects, this drain can be either 1½ inch or 2inch depending on application. Such a drain assembly can be configuredto extend through the bottom of the inner ice bin wall, through theinsulation and exit through the outer ice bin wall. In other aspects,this drain can be threaded to receive an elbow and a drain valve suchas, but not limited to, agate valve, a ball joint valve, a tee valve orthe like. In an even further aspect, the drain can be seated in a watertight epoxy in order to form a permanent seal.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front side elevational view of one exemplary aspectof a naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin in a draft configuration(i.e., an ice bin with refrigerator compartment with draft line tube anddraft tower) in a free standing rolling design.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side elevational view of one exemplary aspect of anaturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin in a draft configuration(i.e., an ice bin with refrigerator compartment with draft line tube anddraft tower) in a free standing rolling design.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top elevational view of one exemplary aspect of anaturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin in a draft configuration(i.e., an ice bin with refrigerator compartment with draft line tube anddraft tower) in a free standing rolling design.

FIG. 9 illustrates an top perspective view of one exemplary aspect of anaturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin in a draft configuration(i.e., an ice bin with refrigerator compartment with draft line tube anddraft tower) in a free standing rolling design.

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate a one exemplary aspect of a naturallyrefrigerated cooler and ice bin in a draft configuration (i.e., an icebin with refrigerator compartment with draft line tube and draft tower)in a free standing rolling design. FIG. 10A is a top elevational view ofthe naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin, FIG. 10B is a cutout viewof the naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin taken across lines A-Aof FIG. 10A, and FIG. 10C is an enlarged view of a portion of the cutoutview of FIG. 10B. The draft line tube can penetrate the top of therefrigerator compartment and can be sealed with a gasket and inner/outerflange design. This can create a water tight seal and can allow draftlines to be run freely from the inside of the refrigerator compartmentto the draft tower located on top of the ice bin. In another aspect, thedraft line tube can be constructed of a thermally conductive material(e.g. aluminum) and can be positioned in direct contact with the icecubes inside of the ice bin. In another aspect, the draft line tube canbe configured to continue up inside of the draft tower prior to theconnector to the draft tower faucet. In another aspect, the draft linetube can be used to keep the draft line and liquid in the lines cold,resulting in a cooled direct draw draft configuration.

FIG. 11 illustrates an top perspective view of one exemplary aspect of anaturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin in a cold plate configuration(i.e., an ice bin with refrigerator compartment having a cold plateinstalled on top of the refrigerator compartment in direct contact withthe ice). In this aspect, tube connectors can be provided on the outsideof the ice bin, each tube connector providing a connection point throughwhich to run a single supported soda type through the cold plate.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate one exemplary aspect of a naturallyrefrigerated cooler and ice bin in a cold plate configuration (i.e., anice bin with refrigerator compartment having a cold plate installed ontop of the refrigerator compartment in direct contact with the ice).FIG. 12A is a side elevational view of the naturally refrigerated coolerand ice bin and FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of the naturallyrefrigerated cooler and ice bin taken across line A-A of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13 illustrates a partially transparent perspective view of oneexemplary aspect of a naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin in adraft configuration (i.e., an ice bin with refrigerator compartment withdraft line tube and draft tower) in a free standing rolling design.Here, the refrigerator compartment can be suspended inside of the icebin and supported by a plurality of ported support rails. The freestanding rolling design can be configured to support at least fourwheels (some locking), legs, level glides or some other component thatcan be operably connected to the bottom of the ice bin. In one aspect,the wheels, legs, level glides, or the like can be mounted onto casterplates and affixed to the ice bin with bolts. It is contemplated thatnuts can be welded to the inside of the outer wall of the bottom of theice bin (within the insulation). One skilled in the art will appreciatethat such a design enables the wheels, legs, level glides, or the liketo be readily replaced with a bolt on/off design.

FIG. 14 is a graph depicting the measured temperature at T1, T2 and T3over a period of seven days when the refrigerator compartment was empty.

FIG. 15 is a graph depicting the measured temperature at T1, T2, T3 andT4 over a period of six days when the refrigerator compartment containeda half barrel keg maintained at room temperature.

FIG. 16 is a graph depicting the measured temperature at T1, T2, T3 andT4 over a period of six days when the refrigerator compartment containeda cold, half barrel keg of beer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention can be understood more readily by reference to thefollowing detailed description, examples, drawing, and claims, and theirprevious and following description. However, before the present devices,systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to beunderstood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices,systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, as suchcan, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only andis not intended to be limiting.

The following description of the invention is provided as an enablingteaching of the invention in its best, currently known aspect. To thisend, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciatethat many changes can be made to the various aspects of the inventiondescribed herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results describedherein. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefitsdescribed herein can be obtained by selecting some of the featuresdescribed herein without utilizing other features. Accordingly, thosewho work in the art will recognize that many modifications andadaptations to the present invention are possible and can even bedesirable in certain circumstances and are a part described herein.Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of theprinciples described herein and not in limitation thereof.

Reference will be made to the drawings to describe various aspects ofone or more implementations of the invention. It is to be understoodthat the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of oneor more implementations, and are not limiting of the present disclosure.Moreover, while various drawings are provided at a scale that isconsidered functional for one or more implementations, the drawings arenot necessarily drawn to scale for all contemplated implementations. Thedrawings thus represent an exemplary scale, but no inference should bedrawn from the drawings as to any required scale.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding described herein. It will beobvious, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosuremay be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known aspects of refrigeration systems and coolers have not beendescribed in particular detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuringaspects of the disclosed implementations.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” oneparticular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When sucha range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particularvalue and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values areexpressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it willbe understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will befurther understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges aresignificant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently ofthe other endpoint.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described eventor circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includesinstances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where itdoes not.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word“comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and“comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intendedto exclude, for example, other additives, components, integers or steps.“Exemplary” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey anindication of a preferred or ideal aspect. “Such as” is not used in arestrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.

Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosedmethods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein,and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions,groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specificreference of each various individual and collective combinations andpermutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each isspecifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods andsystems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, butnot limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a varietyof additional steps that can be perdefined it is understood that each ofthese additional steps can be perdefined with any specific aspect orcombination of aspects of the disclosed methods.

Implementations described herein are directed toward devices, systemsand methods for natural refrigeration. More particularly, the presentdisclosure is directed to a natural refrigeration system. For example,one or more implementations described herein provide a naturallyrefrigerated cooler and ice bin 100 designed to provide a refrigeratedcooler as well as a service ice bin without the use of conventionalelectrical refrigeration components or gases. In other aspects, thepresent disclosure is directed to a naturally-refrigerated cooler andice bin that is configured as an integrated or all-in-one unit thatutilizes ice cubes loaded into the ice bin 102 as a coolant.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-13, the varying modalities of the presentdisclosure are directed towards apparatus, systems and method fornatural refrigeration. In one aspect, the modalities described hereinall comprise a naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin 100 designed toprovide a refrigerated cooler as well as a service ice bin without theuse of conventional electrical refrigeration components or gases. Inother aspects, the present disclosure provides for a naturallyrefrigerated cooler and ice bin containing no electrical components, nogases or none of the powered components of a conventional refrigeratoror refrigerated cooler. Instead, the cooler comprises a large ice bin102 having a refrigerator compartment 108 suspended within it. The icebin and cooler compartment are configured such that when the ice cubesand the resulting cold water are loaded into the ice bin, the ice cubesand resulting cold water surround the refrigerator compartment and actto remove heat from inside the refrigerator compartment. It iscontemplated that the refrigerator compartment can be accessed from thefront similar to a conventional refrigerator. In light of the presentdisclosure, one skilled in the art will appreciate that naturallyrefrigerated cooler and ice bin of the present disclosure can provideservice ice and a refrigerated cooler, and can be further adapted forthe inclusion of one or more of a draft dispensing cooler (for draftproducts like beer, wine, cocktails, etc.), a cold plate for sodasystems, a hand pump and filter to provide cold drinking water, and thelike. In other aspects, the disclosure is directed to anaturally-refrigerated cooler and ice bin that is configured as anintegrated or all-in-one unit that utilizes ice cubes loaded into theice bin as a coolant.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, a naturally refrigerated cooler withice bin 100 having a basic configuration in a free standing rollingdesign is shown. In one aspect, the basic configuration consists of anice bin 102 having a refrigerator compartment 108. In another aspect, afree standing rolling design is provided. In light of the presentdisclosure, one skilled in the art will appreciate that a free standingrolling design is just one of a myriad of configurations that can embodythe naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin of the present disclosure.The example of a free standing rolling design is used herein for thesake of clarity. However, other designs such as, for example and withoutlimitation, a drop-in design used to insert into a counter top, aslip-in design used to slide into a cutout of a countertop and the likeare included within the scope of the present disclosure.

In other aspect and as shown in FIG. 1, the ice bin 102 can beconfigured to be top loading. In a further aspect, the top of the icebin can comprise a means for access such as, for example and withoutlimitation, insulated sliding doors, folding doors, pull out doors, adraft tower with a pull out door, a flip up door with a cold waterdispenser, and the like.

In other aspects and as shown in FIG. 1, access to the refrigeratorcompartment 108 can be provided through a refrigerator cooler door 116.

In other aspects and as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the design of thenaturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin 100 comprises an ice bin 102with a refrigerator compartment 108 suspended within it. The exteriorwall can be a double wall design comprising an exterior wall 104, aninterior wall 106, and insulation 105 disposed therebetween. In someaspects, the exterior wall can be constructed of 304 stainless steel,steel, galvanized steel, vinyl-lined aluminum or any other metal,plastic, wood, or ceramic material known to one skilled in the art to besuitable. In other aspects, the interior wall can be constructed of 304stainless steel, formed plastic, or other material known to provide ahigh thermal barrier as well as capable of sealing to be water tight. Inother aspects, the insulation 105 between the exterior and interior wallcan comprise “foam in place” polyurethane, “pour in place” polyurethane,extruded polystyrene or other suitable insulation material known in theart. In further aspects, it is contemplated that this double wall designcan be found on all four sides and the bottom of the ice bin.

In other aspects, the refrigerator compartment 108 can be suspendedwithin the bottom portion of the inside of the ice bin 102. When ice isloaded through the top of the ice bin, the ice will fill in the voidaround the refrigerator compartment from the top, left, right and backside. In further aspects, cold water generated by the melting of the icecan fill the void under the refrigerator compartment. In some aspects,the only portion of the refrigerator compartment not in direct contactwith the ice and/or cold water can be at least a portion of the frontsurface which can, in turn, comprise a refrigerator cooler door 116. Insome aspects, the refrigerator compartment can be constructed of athermally conductive material configured to facilitate heat transferfrom the contents inside of the refrigerator compartment to the ice andcold water of the surrounding ice bin. In a further aspect, thethermally conductive material can be, for example and withoutlimitation, aluminum and the like. In operation, the heat drawn from therefrigerator compartment will rise towards the top of the ice binresulting in colder temperatures at the lower part of the ice bin. Inlight of the present disclosure, one skilled in the art will appreciatethat the cold water convection and heat transfer process describedherein provides for natural refrigeration of the refrigeratorcompartment and the maintenance of that cold temperature for extendedperiods of time.

In other aspects, support rails 110 can operate to keep the refrigeratorcompartment 108 suspended from the floor of the ice bin 102. In furtheraspects, the support rails can be configured as a structural element tofurther support the weight of the contents of the refrigeratorcompartment. FIG. 4B shows a close up view of one exemplary embodimentof the support rails. In some aspects, the support rails can have portsor holes configured to allow water to flow freely across the bottom ofthe ice bin. In operation, the flow of cold water through the ports canfacilitate heat transfer across the bottom of the ice bin, through tothe sides and up to the top of the ice bin. In some aspects, the supportrails can start from about 2 to about 4 inches from the inner ice binwalls 106 and end about 2 to about 4 inches from the back of the ice bininner walls. In operation, this can allow water to easily flow aroundthe support rails, for example, when draining the unit.

In other aspects and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, an ice bin drain 112 canbe provided in the bottom of the ice bin 102. In one aspect, the ice bindrain can be about 1½ inches to about 2 inches in diameter or any otherdiameter configured to accommodate any other contemplated application.In some aspects, the drain can have a flange and a threaded end as iscommon in standard plumbing applications. In other aspects, the draincan be epoxy welded into the inner wall 106 of the ice bin for apermanent and waterproof installation. In other aspect, an elbow and avalve such as, for example and without limitation, a gate valve, a balljoint valve, a tee valve or the like can be installed and configured tofacilitate water removal from the ice bin. In other aspects, the draincan be connected to onsite plumbing in order to drain directly to asewer line or floor drain.

In other aspects and as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, wheels 114 can beutilized to provide mobility in the free standing rolling design. Insome aspects, the naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin 100 can havefour wheels, legs, level glides, or the like. In further aspects, morethan four wheels, legs, level glides, or the like can be employed forlarger units.

In other aspects and as shown in FIGS. 6-10, the naturally refrigeratedcooler and ice bin 100 can further comprise a draft configuration. Thedraft configuration comprises the ice bin 102 and suspended cooler ofthe basic configuration and also comprises a draft line tube 122 anddraft tower 118 positioned on top of the ice bin. In some aspects, thedraft line tube can be constructed of a highly thermally conductivematerial such as, for example and without limitation, aluminum. In otheraspects, the draft line tube can be used to run draft lines from therefrigerator compartment 108 to the draft tower. In yet other aspects,the draft line tube can have a flange and gasket coupled to one end andconfigured to seat the tube to the top of the refrigerator compartment.Here, an access hole can provide the draft line tube access to therefrigerator compartment, and an inner flange with gasket can secure thedraft line tube and can provide a waterproof seal. In some aspects,draft lines can run from the refrigerator compartment, through the draftline tube, to the draft tower and connect to a faucet 120 installed onthe draft tower. The draft line tube can be in direct contact with theice in the ice bin. In operation, this contact transfers heat from thedraft line tube, the draft lines and the liquid inside those draft linesto the ice inside of the ice bin. In light of the present disclosure,one skilled in the art will appreciate that this heat transfer can keepthe liquid on the draft line tubes cold facilitating a direct draw draftsetup.

In another aspect, the naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin 100comprise a fresh water assembly disposed inside the ice bin 102 to adispensing faucet 120 located on top of the naturally refrigeratedcooler and ice bin. In an aspect, the fresh water assembly furthercomprises an in-line pickup tube, an in-line water filter, a pumpingmechanism (manual, battery operated or electrically operated) and afaucet.

In yet other aspects and as shown in FIGS. 11,12A and 12B, the naturallyrefrigerated cooler and ice bin 100 can further comprise a cold plateconfiguration that provides a cooling means for soda system delivery. Inone aspect, the cold plate 124 can be formed from, for example andwithout limitation, a ported aluminum plate with copper coils and thelike. In this aspect, a separate coil can be provided for each differentsoda product (i.e. coke, diet coke, sprite, mountain dew, etc.). Eachcoil can have an inlet and outlet that can be connected on the outsideof the ice bin 102. In other aspects, the cold plate can be mounted ontop of the refrigerator compartment 108. In other aspects, the coils canbe run through the inner ice bin wall 106, insulation 105 and the outerice bin wall 104 to the exterior of the unit. Here, the coils can thenbe connected to an external soda delivery system.

In another aspect, the coils comprise a stainless steel coil assemblyused to run a variety of liquids for the purpose of in-line cooling.

Accordingly, FIGS. 1-13, and the corresponding text, provide a number ofdifferent devices, systems, methods and mechanisms for apparatus,systems and methods for natural refrigeration. In addition to theforegoing, implementations described herein can also be described interms acts and steps in a method for accomplishing a particular result.

The refrigerated cooler and ice bin described herein may be betterunderstood with reference to the Examples set forth below:

Example

The duration of time that the refrigerated cooler and ice bin 100 of thepresent disclosure can maintain refrigerated temperatures under variousconditions was tested. The refrigerated cooler and ice bin was stored atroom temperature (approximately 74° F.) for the duration of the testsdescribed herein. One load of ice was inserted into the ice bin 102.Additional ice was not added as the ice melted. The temperature wastaken at four locations:T1, T2, T3 and T4. The temperature at T1,located at the top of the ice bin, inside of the ice compartment, wasmeasured using a thermometer. The temperature at T2, located at thebottom of the ice bin and inside of the ice compartment, was measuredusing a digital thermometer. The temperature at T3, located inside therefrigerator compartment 108, was measured using the door thermometer.The temperature at T4, the temperature of the liquid placed within therefrigerator compartment 108, was measured using a hand-held thermometerwhere applicable. Moreover, the water that was generated as a result ofthe melting ice was not discharged from the naturally refrigeratedcooler and ice bin during testing.

The following three tests were performed: (1) the refrigeratorcompartment 108 did not contain any fluids or any other content; (2) therefrigerator compartment contained a half barrel keg of beer maintainedat room temperature prior to placement within the refrigeratorcompartment; and (3) the refrigerator compartment contained apreviously-cooled, half barrel keg of beer. FIGS. 14-16 show the resultsof these tests, respectively.

FIG. 14 is a graph depicting the measured temperature at T1, T2 and T3over a period of seven days when the refrigerator compartment 108 wasempty. After placement of the ice into the ice bin 102, the temperaturesat T1, T2 and T3 were 30.0° F., 20.0° F. and 43.0° F., respectively. Onday four, the ice melted below the top of the refrigerator compartmentwith temperatures of 31.8° F., 28.0° F. and 34.5° F. at T1, T2 and T3,respectively.

FIG. 15 is a graph depicting the measured temperature at T1, T2, T3 andT4 over a period of six days when the refrigerator compartment 108contained a half barrel keg maintained at room temperature. Afterplacement of the ice into the ice bin 102, the temperatures at T1, T2,T3 and T4 were 27.5° F., 27.8° F., 62.0° F. and 65.0° F., respectively.On day four, the ice melted below the top of the refrigeratorcompartment with temperatures of 33.8° F., 27.6° F., 36.0° F. and 33.0°F. at T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively.

FIG. 16 is a graph depicting the measured temperature at T1, T2, T3 andT4 over a period of six days when the refrigerator compartment 108contained a cold, half barrel keg of beer. After placement of the iceinto the ice bin 102, the temperatures at T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 27.8°F., 27.6° F., 50.0° F. and 33.0° F., respectively. On day four, the icemelted below the top of the refrigerator compartment with temperaturesof 32.5° F., 28.0° F., 36.0° F. and 32.0° F. at T1, T2, T3 and T4.

The present invention can thus be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Thedescribed aspects are to be considered in all respects only asillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes that come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin,comprising: a housing having a top, a bottom, a front, a back and twoside walls, wherein each wall is defined at least partially by aninsulated wall, wherein the insulated wall further comprises an exteriorwall, an interior wall and insulation disposed between the exterior andinterior wall and wherein the bottom wall has a drain disposed therein;a refrigerator compartment disposed within and dimensioned as to bespaced a predetermined distance from at least the top, bottom, back andtwo side walls of the housing, wherein the space between a bottomsurface of the refrigerator compartment and the bottom wall of thehousing is adapted to be filled with at least one of ice and cold water;and at least one support rail mounted to the bottom wall of the housingand the bottom surface of the refrigerator compartment, wherein the atleast one support rail is adapted to accommodate the flow of at leastone of ice and cold water; wherein the space between the housing and therefrigerator compartment at least partially defines an ice bin.
 2. Thenaturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin of claim 1, wherein the topwall of the housing further comprises an access door adapted to allow auser to access the ice bin.
 3. The naturally refrigerated cooler and icebin of claim 2, wherein the access door is insulated.
 4. The naturallyrefrigerated cooler and ice bin of claim 1, further comprising anrefrigerator compartment door mounted to at least a portion of the frontwall of the housing and communicating with an interior of therefrigerator compartment.
 5. The naturally refrigerated cooler and icebin of claim 4, wherein the refrigerator compartment access door isinsulated.
 6. The naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin of claim 1,wherein the exterior wall of the insulated wall comprises steel.
 7. Thenaturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin of claim 6, wherein theexterior wall of the insulated wall further comprises one of 304stainless steel, galvanized steel, and vinyl lined aluminum.
 8. Thenaturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin of claim 1, wherein theinterior wall of the insulated wall comprises at least one of 304stainless steel, and plastic.
 9. The naturally refrigerated cooler andice bin of claim 8, wherein the interior wall comprises 304 stainlesssteel.
 10. The naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin of claim 1,wherein the insulation of the insulated wall comprises a polymer. 11.The naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin of claim 1, wherein therefrigerator compartment comprises a thermally conductive materialconfigured to facilitate heat transfer from contents placed within therefrigerator compartment to the at least one of ice and cold waterdisposed in the housing.
 12. The naturally refrigerated cooler and icebin of claim 1, wherein the drain disposed in the bottom wall is adaptedto be connected to onsite plumbing.
 13. The naturally refrigeratedcooler and ice bin of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of wheels,legs, level glides or some other component operably coupled to thebottom wall of the housing.
 14. The naturally refrigerated cooler andice bin of claim 1, further comprising a draft line tube communicatingbetween the interior of the refrigerator compartment and a draft towerdisposed on top of the top wall of the housing through an openingdefined therein.
 15. The naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin ofclaim 14, further comprising a faucet operably associated with the draftline and draft tower, wherein the faucet is operable to selectivelydispense a liquid conducted via the draft line.
 16. The naturallyrefrigerated cooler and ice bin of claim 1, further comprising a coldplate assembly disposed on a top surface of the refrigeratorcompartment.
 17. The naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin of claim1, wherein the cold plate assembly further comprises a ported aluminumplate with a plurality of copper coils disposed therein.
 18. Thenaturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin of claim 1, further comprisinga coil system assembly disposed inside of the ice bin.
 19. The naturallyrefrigerated cooler and ice bin of claim 18, wherein the coil systemassembly further comprises a stainless steel coil assembly operable torun a variety of liquids for the purpose of in-line cooling.
 20. Thenaturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin of claim 1, further comprisinga fresh water dispenser assembly disposed inside the ice bin andoperably associated with a dispensing faucet located on top of thenaturally refrigerated cooler.
 21. The naturally refrigerated cooler andice bin of claim 20, wherein the fresh water dispenser assembly furthercomprises an in-line pickup tube, an in-line water filter, a pumpingmechanism, all operably associated to conduct water to the dispensingfaucet.